The opening ceremony of ‘Integrative and Anatolian Medicine Congress’ held in Bursa was attended by First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Minister of Health Dr. Fahrettin Koca and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Vahit Kirişçi.
Delivering her opening speech, Emine Erdoğan expressed her gratitude to be in Bursa, the 2022 Cultural Capital of the Turkic World.
Thanking University of Health Sciences’ Faculty of Medicine in Bursa and all stakeholders hosting the congress, Emine Erdoğan said “we have spent our last 2.5 years suffering from one of the worst outbreaks in history. I guess we have better comprehended the importance of health and we have more deeply grasped that the health actually means life.”
“Traditional and complementary medicine practices”
Stating that health status should not come to our minds only when catching a disease, Emine Erdoğan noted “as you know, all around the world, Traditional and Complementary Medicine has been highly in demand. Because, this method evaluates the human within the framework of physical and mental integrity. It assists not only after catching a disease but also related to the things needed to be done not to catch a disease. It bases on preventive medicine.”
Pointing out the importance of exercising traditional and complementary medicine practices on a scientific and academic basis, Emine Erdoğan added:
“Perceiving traditional medicine as an alternative to modern medicine leads to the emergence of a conflictual arena. However, traditional medicine plays an important role as a complement to modern medicine with the ancient elements it harbours. Our country enjoys a great potential and heritage in this sense. I am of the opinion that making use of this heritage in today’s world with a scientific perspective would both revitalize our civilization and make unique contributions to human life. I also consider that the academic studies and scientists’ interest shown to traditional medicine practices is very important. Therefore, I am sure Türkiye will be the leading country in this field and an attraction centre for the whole world.”
“There has been a tendency to traditional medicine around the world”
Underlining that Türkiye, one of the precious countries having historical and geographical richness, has a deep-rooted civilization in terms of traditional and complementary medicine practices, Minister Fahrettin Koca mentioned Bursa is one of the leading cities to bring Anatolian Medicine to the present.
Stating that in today’s medicine, human is considered as a live organism integrated organs and systems, Koca noted “this approach forces us on integrative approach to humans; it pushes us for new pursuits. It causes humans, who are integrated with their bodies, spirits, beliefs, cultures and traditions, to seek new pursuits in health.”
Pointing out that there has been a tendency to traditional medicine around the world recently; it has been a rising trend to get benefit from traditional medical methods, Koca emphasized that decreasing of quality of life because of longevity and chronic diseases, and also seeking remedies for many physical, social and psychological problems have caused people to develop an interest into traditional and complementary medicine practices.
Minister Koca noted that traditional and complementary medicine practices have an increasing number of usage areas in preventive medicine and treatment processes. He also added that people and states are attracted because integrated approach diminishes health costs.
Therefore, pointing out that traditional medicine practices take place even more in health systems of the countries today, Koca added “Traditional medicine practices are disseminating gradually as a complementary element rather than an alternative to modern medicine. Anatolia has a substantial background in terms of traditional medicine practices. As Türkiye, we are endeavouring to use this rich heritage and opportunities on an evident and safe basis for the sake of humanity and our citizens.”
Among the scientific topics of the congress held between May 13 – 15, 2022 are Anatolian medicine and Anatolian folk medicine, integrative approach to health, acupuncture, cupping, apitherapy, phytotherapy, hypnosis, ozone therapy, musicotherapy, reflexology, functional medicine. The congress was attended by 125 speakers and included 35 panels.
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